Since its inception, El-Funoun has aimed at expressing the spirit of Arab-Palestinian folklore and contemporary culture through unique combinations of traditional and stylized dance and music. The Troupe’s repertoire comprises folkloric dance forms, called “dabke”, in addition to more elaborate choreographed forms that embody El-Funoun’s own unique vision of Palestinian dance. El-Funoun is widely recognized as the cultural entity that has played the most significant role in reviving and reinvigorating Palestinian dance and music folklore.
El-Funoun was founded in 1979 by a small number of enthusiastic, talented and committed men and women, who collectively strove to present a special flavor of authentic Palestinian music and dance and safeguard this heritage from expropriation and loss. Since the beginning, they have realized the importance of enhancing the connectedness of Palestinians wherever they are with their roots, culture and history. The group gave its first remarkable performance at the Dabke festival in Birzeit University in March 1979, after which the group decided to adopt the name “El-Funoun Palestinian Popular Dance Troupe”.
Led by these convictions, El-Funoun continued to develop and grow despite the banning and expropriation of any form of Palestinian cultural expression by the Israeli occupation. In the 1980’s more enthusiasts joined El-Funoun believing in the crucial role of arts and culture in countering the systematic attempts by the Israeli occupation to suppress the Palestinian national identity. “Folkloric Scenes” in 1982 and “Wadi a-Tuffah” in 1984, followed by “Mish’al” in 1986 were the productions of El-Funoun emphasizing these convictions. They carried both an artistic and political messages and received an unprecedented popular attendance.
Moreover, El-Funoun assumed a significant role in reviving the rich music and dance heritage, not only through its productions, but also by initiating the “Palestinian folklore day” in 1986 as an annual celebration, which falls on October 7th of each year. This initiation continued to be celebrated since then all over Palestine. In 1987 El-Funoun played a key role in establishing the Popular Art Centre, a community organization committed to raising awareness about the arts, as well as opening opportunities for community members to participate in artistic activity and expression. Through the Centre, El-Funoun’s message has been able to reach and affect many schools, organizations and localities.
In Palestine, as well as in exile, El-Funoun has achieved an unprecedented popular recognition; in fact, quite a few of the Troupe’s songs and dances have become household tunes. El-Funoun has continued its generous artistic and community work, encompassing over the years hundreds of members coming from various social backgrounds. El-Funoun has become their second home and an arena where various generations meet: dancers, members, artists, administrators and board members motivated by the vision of the Troupe more than by any other factor. This has ensured over the years a strong sense of belonging to and ownership of the Troup.
Don't leave
El-Funoun Palestinian Popular Dance Troupe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can tell you lying yo body language what I'm reading
Put a cage around my heart it can't get broke I'm playing defense
My tears ah fill a ocean but I can't let you see it
If you love me then why you leaving
For your love I was feening
I might just give you my semen no reason at all
My love got weak service will you answers my calls
And she don't understand
Ion want her I want her jaws or her drawls I'm just saying
I'm that nigga it ain't no bitch in me I ain't no trans
One life one chance
Oouuuuuu
Us separating wasn't Part of the plan
Glock in my hand
Guitar on back I'm finna rock like a band
Momma if I die ima die with a Glock in my hand
Momma if I die it prolly was one of my friends
They the ones can get to me
I'm black hearted you can have a gps you still can't get to me
My only enemy is my inner me
They wearing gloves Ion think they really feeling me
Ion wanna hang with you if you ain't kin of me
If you ain't family don't even try to hit at me
Cause I won't answer
You can't come inside this picture you get cropped this ain't yo camera
I told bro slow down on toting on them sticks for get cancer
He said na he like bob he was built to keep a hammer
And free tay out that slamma
I can't say free man
Before I ask for handouts I rather cut off my hand
And I'll cut my legs off before I ever take a stand
If my dawg get caught he bet not talk like Stan
Ask around here they'll tell you ion got friends
Cause that love and hate gon blend then friends come to a end
Black heart but I got feelings I hope they leave with the wind
The score up but you lost yo mans sometimes you gotta lose to win
Mob ties
I told lil swerv he ion need laces we mob tied
I told moose don't change his wheels cause we got mob tires
Me and cat put on a suit we had on mob ties
I'll rather lose then have a draw cause I got mob ties
Poppa toting on some shit that's dog size
He play he get turnt to a small fry
Steve a ghetto Angel he protect from these demons
You can tell I'm lying my body language what you reading
Put a cage around yo heart it can't get broke you playing defense
Yours tears ah fill a ocean but you won't let me see it
If I love you then why im leaving
For your love i was feening
You might just give me yo cleavage no reason at all
Your love got weak service will i answer yo calls
Answer the call for my dawg if he locked behind that wall
And I don't understand she ion want me she want inside of my pants
I'm just saying
She that bitch
It ain't no nigga inside her she ain't no trans
One life one chance
Us separating wasn't Part of the plan
Glock in my hand guitar on back I'm finna rock like a band
Don't leave!
The lyrics of "Don't Leave!" by El-Funoun Palestinian Popular Dance Troupe explore themes of love, protection, and vulnerability. The song begins with the mention of Steve, described as a ghetto angel who protects the singer from the demons in their life. This line represents the desire for someone who can provide emotional support and serve as a shield against the challenges faced.
The lyrics also touch upon the complexities of relationships, expressing doubt about the honesty of a lover through their body language. The singer seeks emotional defense by guarding their heart from potential pain, even though they possess deep feelings indicated by the mention of tears filling an ocean. The confusion and hurt caused by a partner's decision to leave despite professing love is a recurring theme throughout the song. This contradiction is further explored through the mention of feening for love and the desire for intimacy without any reason.
The inclusion of references to loyalty, friendship, and the potential betrayal of a friend in prison adds depth to the narrative. These lines demonstrate the importance of loyalty and trust in the singer's life. The song's refrain, "Don't leave!", emphasizes the plea for the preservation of love and a longing for continuity in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Steve a ghetto Angel he protect from these demons
Steve is like a guardian angel, protecting me from the troubles and hardships of the ghetto.
I can tell you lying yo body language what I'm reading
I can sense that you're not being truthful based on your body language and non-verbal cues.
Put a cage around my heart it can't get broke I'm playing defense
I'm putting up emotional walls and guarding my heart to avoid getting hurt. I'm being defensive.
My tears ah fill a ocean but I can't let you see it
I cry a lot and my sadness is overwhelming, but I don't want you to witness my vulnerability.
If you love me then why you leaving
If you truly have feelings for me, why are you choosing to walk away?
For your love I was feening
I was craving and desperately longing for your love and affection.
I might just give you my semen no reason at all
I might engage in sexual activity with you without any specific reason or justification.
My love got weak service will you answer my calls
My love and affection towards you doesn't receive a strong response or reciprocation. Will you still be there for me?
Answer the call for my dawg if he locked behind them walls
Be there to support and help my friend who is imprisoned and confined within prison walls.
And she don't understand
She fails to comprehend or grasp the situation.
Ion want her I want her jaws or her drawls I'm just saying
I'm not interested in having a relationship with her, all I want is a physical encounter or a sexual connection. I'm just expressing my thoughts.
I'm that nigga it ain't no bitch in me I ain't no trans
I'm assertive and confident in my masculinity. I'm not weak or transgender.
One life one chance
We only have one life to live, so we should make the most of it and seize our opportunities.
Us separating wasn't Part of the plan
The fact that we're breaking up or parting ways was not what we had intended or expected.
Glock in my hand
I am carrying a Glock firearm in my hand.
Guitar on back I'm finna rock like a band
With my guitar at my back, I'm ready to perform and entertain like a rock band.
Momma if I die ima die with a Glock in my hand
If I were to die, I want to be remembered as someone who was always prepared and protected, even with a weapon in my hand.
Momma if I die it prolly was one of my friends
If I were to die, chances are it would be caused by one of my friends.
They the ones can get to me
They have the ability to reach me emotionally or cause harm.
I'm black hearted you can have a gps you still can't get to me
I have a cold and unfeeling heart, even if you had a GPS, you still wouldn't be able to understand or reach me emotionally.
My only enemy is my inner me
The only thing that stands in my way or causes me harm is my own inner struggles and demons.
They wearing gloves Ion think they really feeling me
The people around me are distant and don't truly understand or empathize with me, it's like they are wearing gloves that prevent them from truly connecting with me.
Ion wanna hang with you if you ain't kin of me
I don't want to spend time or associate with you if we don't have a close familial bond.
If you ain't family don't even try to hit at me
If you don't have a familial connection with me, don't even attempt to approach me or initiate contact.
Cause I won't answer
Because I have no intention of responding or acknowledging you.
You can't come inside this picture you get cropped this ain't yo camera
You can't be a part of my life or be involved with me, you will be excluded and not included, as if you were cropped out of a picture that isn't yours.
I told bro slow down on toting on them sticks for get cancer
I advised my friend to be cautious and reduce carrying firearms to avoid getting into dangerous situations or attracting unwanted trouble.
He said na he like bob he was built to keep a hammer
He replied that he enjoys the feeling of power and being armed, he believes he was naturally meant to carry a weapon.
And free tay out that slamma
I hope Tay, who is currently incarcerated, gets released from prison soon.
I can't say free man
I can't say 'free man' or wish for someone else's release, as I don't have the same personal connection to them.
Before I ask for handouts I rather cut off my hand
I would prefer to sacrifice and lose something as important as my own hand than to beg or rely on others for assistance or favors.
And I'll cut my legs off before I ever take a stand
I would rather cripple myself by cutting off my own legs than to stand up for something or take a firm position on an issue.
If my dawg get caught he bet not talk like Stan
If my close friend or 'dawg' gets caught in a difficult situation, he better not cooperate or betray us like the character Stan in Eminem's song 'Stan'.
Ask around here they'll tell you ion got friends
If you ask the people around here, they will tell you that I don't have any true friends or reliable companions.
Cause that love and hate gon blend then friends come to an end
The intense emotions of love and hate often intertwine, leading to the deterioration and eventual end of friendships.
Black heart but I got feelings I hope they leave with the wind
I may have a cold and hardened heart, but I still have emotions that I hope will eventually fade away or be carried away by the wind.
The score up but you lost yo mans sometimes you gotta lose to win
Even though you may have gained some advantage, you ended up losing your friends or allies. Sometimes, in order to ultimately succeed, you have to face losses along the way.
Mob ties
Strong connections and loyalty within a criminal or organized group.
I told lil swerv he ion need laces we mob tied
I advised Lil Swerv that he doesn't need shoelaces because we have strong bonds and are connected like a tightly knit group.
I told moose don't change his wheels cause we got mob tires
I informed Moose not to replace or modify his car's wheels because we already have sturdy and reliable tires that represent our unity and strength as a group.
Me and cat put on a suit we had on mob ties
Cat and I dressed in suits, symbolizing our affiliation and loyalty to the mob or organized crime group.
I'll rather lose then have a draw cause I got mob ties
I would prefer to accept a loss rather than settling for a draw or a tie because my connections and alliances within the mob are strong and influential.
Poppa toting on some shit that's dog size
Poppa is carrying a firearm that is suitable or proportionate to the dangers and threats he faces.
He play he get turnt to a small fry
If someone tries to mess with Poppa, they will quickly become insignificant or trivial, just like a small fried snack.
Steve a ghetto Angel he protect from these demons
Steve is like a guardian angel, shielding me from the wickedness and malevolence present in the ghetto.
You can tell I'm lying my body language what you reading
It's evident that I'm not telling the truth based on the nonverbal signals and cues that my body language is conveying to you.
Put a cage around your heart it can't get broke you playing defense
You are guarding your heart and emotions, not allowing them to be vulnerable or easily hurt. You are being defensive.
Your tears ah fill an ocean but you won't let me see it
You cry so much that your tears could fill an entire ocean, but you refuse to let me witness your raw emotions.
If I love you then why I'm leaving
If I have genuine feelings of love for you, then why am I choosing to walk away from our relationship?
For your love I was feening
I was intensely craving and yearning for your love and affection.
You might just give me your cleavage, no reason at all
You might expose your cleavage to me without any specific motive or justification.
Your love got weak service, will I answer your calls
Your love and devotion towards me is inconsistent and unreliable, so I'm unsure if I should respond to your attempts to contact me.
Answer the call for my dawg if he locked behind that wall
Be there to support and respond to the plea for help from my close friend if he is incarcerated and confined within prison walls.
And I don't understand, she ion want me she want inside of my pants
I'm confused because she doesn't desire a romantic relationship with me but is only interested in engaging in sexual activities.
I'm just saying she that bitch
I'm just expressing my thoughts, highlighting that she is an assertive and confident woman whom I admire.
It ain't no ni**a inside her, she ain't no trans
She doesn't possess masculine traits or characteristics; she is completely female and not transgender.
One life, one chance
We only have a single life to live, so we should make the most of it and seize our opportunities.
Us separating wasn't part of the plan
The fact that we are drifting apart or ending our relationship was not what we had envisioned or intended.
Glock in my hand, guitar on back, I'm finna rock like a band
I have a Glock firearm in my hand, and with my guitar strapped to my back, I'm ready to perform and entertain like a rock band.
Don't leave!
Please don't walk away or abandon me!
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Mr Eight
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind